In reply to gale and Quilt E - I was using the built in stitch for the machine (I believe it was #29). Quilt E may have given me an idea. My practice piece was small and held by pins but the small quilt was spray basted. Neither practice nor border were pre-washed and there was no piecework involved in either piece. The fabrics were different. The sample piece was made from different fabric than the border and backing but the batting was the same. So right now the major difference seems to be the spray basting as the fabrics are good quality quilt store cottons. It's just odd that one side of 2 different built in stitches start out working then quickly just do one side.